Massimo Moratti, the Inter Milan president, sent officials to London last week to sound out Willian's representative Alexandre Soares following Shakhtar's dramatic 3-2 defeat at Chelsea. The Brazilian scored both of his side's goals in that match.

According to Tuttosport, Shakhtar want £28m for the 24-year-old, although that figure is expected to drop to £25.5m by next summer. However, Inter are unable to afford those figures and could finance any potential deal by cashing in on Wesley Sneijder.

The 2010 European champions will try to sell Sneijder to the highest bidder - and this will alert Manchester United, who have been heavily linked with the Holland international over the last two years.